Peanut Butter Balls. I love this no bake recipe! It is very flexible. You can change up some of the ingredients easily if you need to use what you have available in your pantry. You can also cut back or eliminate the sugar entirely in this recipe. You can use Cocoa Pebbles instead of Gluten Free Rice Krispies cereal or gluten free corn flakes cereal. You can use almond butter in place of peanut butter. It all works! (I used Cocoa Pebbles for the recipe in today's photo that is why they have a chocolate brown color. If you use gluten free crisped rice cereal or corn flakes then they will have a pale peanut butter color instead. They have a chewy caramel like texture when you bite into them. They taste like you spent a lot of time on them but they are super easy to throw together and it makes a bunch so it is economical too! The recipe can be cut in half if you want a smaller batch or doubled for a huge crowd.
This recipe goes together fast and is easy enough the kids can help. I let them cool down a little bit before I roll them into balls. You can make them in advance. You can also add extra items like chocolate chips, M&Ms, dried fruit, coconut, colored sprinkles, chia seeds or whatever else you like. I usually just keep it simple and add the basic ingredients in the recipe. I prefer using organic honey but you can use agave nectar, maple syrup or corn syrup instead.
These are great for road trips, tailgating, game day, holiday cookie plates, pot luck, picnics, sweet treat for brunch or even just a quick snack craving. They are great on the patio on a cool evening with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and they are easy enough that you can make them while camping! This is a recipe must have if you like easy recipes!
Peanut Butter Balls Recipe:
- 1 cup honey (or you can use corn syrup, agave nectar or maple syrup)
- 2 cups peanut butter (or you can use almond butter). I like to use crunchy so I have little nut pieces in the balls but you can use creamy if you prefer. I am also thinking these would be good with Nutella but I haven't tried it yet! Maybe next time!
- 1/2 cup sugar (I use the non-bleached organic non-GMO sugar but you can use regular sugar or brown sugar if you prefer. You could probably use a sugar replacement like Splenda but I have never tried it. I have left the sugar out entirely and it worked fine but the sugar does make it slightly chewier and my family prefers them extra chewy so I do add the sugar.
- 4 cups gluten free cereal (I like to use Cocoa Pebbles or Malt-o-meal cocoa dyno-bites cereal which are both gluten free but you can use gluten free crisped rice cereal or gluten free corn flakes).
Melt the sugar, peanut butter and honey (or agave nectar or syrup) in a saucepan on medium heat until it comes to a slow boil. Remove from heat and stir in your gluten free cereal.
If you are adding any extra items like dried fruit, sprinkles, chocolate chips, M&M candies, etc. then add them now. Let it cool slightly before you roll it into balls so you don't burn your fingers! Place on waxed paper to set slightly. These will remain slightly chewy like a rice krispie type treat but they will have a richer flavor! My family prefers these over rice krispie treats! I make mine about the size of golf balls. You can make them larger or smaller depending on how you like them.
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| They aren't perfectly shaped balls but they are delicious! |
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| These are cooling down a little bit. They are still slightly warm |
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| These are my hubby's stash! |
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| Ready to wrap up for my friend |
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| Mmmmm.....my mouth is watering! |
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| Golf ball sized peanut butter balls |
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| See the up close view of the cocoa pebbles cereal and chunks of peanuts from the crunchy style peanut butter? |
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| Ready to give away to a friend |
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| Up close view of the chewy inside of the peanut butter ball |
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| Yummy! Biting into the peanut butter ball |
I hope you enjoy another one of my family's favorite no-bake easy recipes. We like easy, inexpensive and casual foods for get-togethers. I can whip these up faster than it takes me to run over to the grocery store to pick up a store-bought treat and they taste waaaaay better....not to mention they are gluten free. I like to make affordable gluten free treats that everyone enjoys but easy enough that I can make with my grand-daughter.
The next time you need a quick, affordable snack....give this recipe a try. You will be glad you did!
Tanja
Gluten Free Casually
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